Friday, February 12, 2010

The Oregon State Library recently reported that statewide library book, CD, and DVD checkouts grew more than 7% in 2009.

WCCLS achieved an amazing 16% increase in item checkouts in 2009. Washington County Libraries have seen double-digit increases in almost every measure of use over the last two years.

Let's look at the numbers, shall we?

10,553,359

total number of books and other materials checked out by WCCLS patrons in 2009 (equal to 2,680 books per hour or more than 28,913 per day)

5,340,443

total website visits to wccls.org (about 14,917 per day)

3,855,731

total number of visitors to WCCLS member libraries in the last fiscal year (nearly 11,000 per day)

172,971

total attendance at library sponsored children’s programs in the past fiscal year (about 480 per day)

41,444

number of new patrons registered for library cards in 2009 (about 116 per day)

24,783

number of children and teens participated in the 2009 Summer Reading Program (an increase of 56% over the last five years

WCCLS libraries stretch funding to meet local needs and rise in demand

"WCCLS member libraries provide quality service to the more than 280,000 Washington County library patrons, even while experiencing tremendous growth in use," reports WCCLS Director Eva Calcagno.

"The 2006 WCCLS local option levy allowed libraries to restore reduced open hours, rebuild book budgets and meet demand for childrens' and adult library programs. Extended open hours, book budgets and library programs are contributing to the surge in library use."

From fall salmon runs, to wintering waterfowl and raptors, The Northwest Nature Guide offers more than 150 best bets for wildlife adventures year round in the Northwest. Davis will share his original slides of, and tips for, the best PNW wildlife watching opportunities in every season.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase after the presentation.

Monday, February 8, 2010

The Beaverton City Library is partnering with the Oregon Food Bank to provide Food for Fines Week from Monday, February 22nd through Sunday, February 28th.

Up to $10.00 in fines on library accounts may be paid off by donating one on-perishable food item for each $1.00 in fines. Donated food items should be brought to the Circulation Desk at the Library at 12375 SW 5th Street in Beaverton.

Food donations may be used towards the payment of fines only and may not be used to pay replacement or processing fees for lost or damaged items. For further information, please call the Library at 503-644-2197.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! We've recently added two huge databases of general interest magazines and scholarly journals for your reading pleasure. Search for specific topics or browse through tables of contents. Set up an account and be alerted when new stories on your topics are published.

See peer-reviewed, full-text academic articles in Academic OneFile. And in General OneFile find news and periodical articles on computers, current events, education, environmental issues, health care, hobbies, politics, sports, technology, and just about anything you can think of. Just a couple magazine titles are National Geographic, Better Homes and Gardens, and Macworld. Find these and more.